September 26, 2006

• Budapest

  This will probably be my last trip for a while ...well, for a few months anyway... not counting a trip back home (NY) for Thanksgiving.  I think I'm all tripped out.  The tourist hat is being put anyway!  That being said we had a very nice, relaxing weekend in Budapest.  I've been dying to go there for quite a while and decided to seize the opportunity before the chilly weather arrives.

  We were a bit apprehensive in going since there had been rioting in protest of their prime minister the day before we went but everything seemed to have calmed down quite a lot.  Only peaceful protests took place while we were there so no danger ...

  Budapest has the feel of both Prague and Paris.  I think that's why Prague was the new Paris and now Budapest is the new Prague (or so I've heard).  I didn't know this before going but the name Budapest comes from the joining of the two towns separated by the River Danube.  One side was named Buda and the other Pest. And when they unified, it obviously became Budapest.  Most of the population lives on the flat side which is Pest.  The Buda side is hilly and where they built their castle so it's easily defended.  The city lay out was very disorienting because there was no market square with a cathedral and then a town spreading out from the center.  This is generally the layout of most European towns and it was a bit strange not to find this! Most of the city has also been rebuilt after various wars throughout the years so there's a lot of new buildings posing as old ones.  For that reason I would say Prague and Paris both have more character.  Budapest is nicer in a few ways.  No hoardes of tourists that are ever present in the other two cities.  And thermal baths.  That experience alone was worth the trip.  The city is built on natural thermal springs and going to the spas is their social activity.  I get the sense that they arrange catch-ups at the spa instead of a coffee house like we do. 

  Some pics....

  The Szechenyi Baths where you can bathe like how the Romans did.  There are indoor and outdoor pools along with saunas and jacuzzis.  You can also get the usual spa treatments.  It's such an amazing setting and you really get a feel for the local culture as this is where they all hang out.

  

  

  The Royal Palace which houses several museums

  

  St. Stephen's Basilica

  

  Hero's Square, monument built to commemorate the millenium of the arrival of the Hungarians

  

  A fairy tale castle in City Park

  

   

  • 11:38 am
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